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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘UP poised to be hub of med, wellness tourism'
1 2 UP's blend of modern healthcare, spiritual heritage and supportive tourism policies can make it a leading destination for both medical and wellness tourism, experts said at the TOI Dialogues session on "Health & Heritage: Building a Resilient, Tourism-Driven Uttar Pradesh". The discussion began with the question of whether health tourism is on the state's agenda. Principal secretary (tourism & culture) Mukesh Kumar Meshram said while there is currently no dedicated policy, one is in the works. He outlined two key components — medical tourism, which draws foreign patients for high-quality treatment at a fraction of the cost abroad, and wellness tourism, which focuses on preventive healthcare through yoga, naturopathy and Ayurveda. Post-Covid, he noted, there is a global shift toward immunity and wellness, and UP aims to encourage wellness centres, taking inspiration from Kerala's success in the sector. Pramit Mishra, unit head at Max Super Speciality Hospital, said tourists increasingly factor in healthcare access when choosing destinations. "UP offers a healing touch with its mix of tradition, spirituality and modern medicine," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo With policies easing infrastructure development, institutions like SGPGI and KGMU have trained doctors who now serve worldwide. He also pointed out that Lucknow offers surgeries at 25-30% lower costs than Delhi, with some cardiac procedures priced far below those in countries like Singapore, making it a cost-competitive medical tourism hub. Life coach and co-founder of My Mom's Village Puja Singh shared their sustainable tourism model, which shifts from sightseeing to "soul-seeing." The project promotes organic farming, empowers rural women and sources all produce locally. Situated on the spiritual circuit between Ayodhya, Mathura and Varanasi, and on the Buddhist circuit, the village has benefited from rural tourism schemes but seeks further support for women's skill development and rural medical centres. Author Shantanu Gupta highlighted UP's religious tourism potential, citing the 64 crore visitors during the Kumbh Mela, which generated an estimated Rs 3.5 lakh crore in economic value. Such events, he said, demonstrate UP's safety, hospitality and infrastructure to a massive domestic and international audience. Speakers agreed that with affordable, world-class healthcare, rich wellness traditions, spiritual appeal, and upcoming policy support, Uttar Pradesh is well-placed to become a global destination for both medical and wellness tourism. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
TOI Dialogues – Infrastructure Chapter: UP's health & heritage tourism vision promotes sightseeing to soul seeing
The sixth edition of TOI Dialogues – Infrastructure Chapter was held in Lucknow on Thursday, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, changemakers, and experts for engaging panel discussions and fireside chats on urban development, smart mobility, sustainability, and industrial growth. The event also served as a networking hub for real estate developers, infrastructure consultants, and investors exploring opportunities in Uttar Pradesh. The final panel of the day, 'Health & Heritage: Building a Resilient, Tourism-Driven Uttar Pradesh', carried the theme Digital Transformation: Integrating Health and Heritage and was moderated by Sanjay Bhatnagar. The panel featured Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh (IAS); Pramit Mishra, Unit Head of Max Healthcare in Lucknow; Shantanu Gupta, author of The Monk Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh; and Puja Singh, Life Coach and Co-Founder of My Mom's Village. When asked about UP's health agenda, Pramit Mishra said, 'With the legendary medical schools UP has produced, doctors are serving not only in the country but across the globe.' Responding to Bhatnagar's question on whether there is a structured policy for medical tourism, Mukesh Kumar Meshram responded, 'As such under medical tourism we haven't processed such policies but we are in process of doing so.' He further added that, 'There are two aspects in UP, one is medical tourism for hospitals and medical colleges, where people come to get treatment at a lower cost compared to other countries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like SRM Online MBA – Empowering Future Leaders SRM Online Enquire Now Undo Second is wellness tourism, focusing mainly on preventive measures, especially after COVID-19.' Speaking about her organisation's role, Puja Singh said, 'We are contributing in the aspect of rural tourism, sustainable tourism, and wellness tourism. Our primary focus is shifting the tourism lens from sightseeing to soul seeing.' On UP's tourism potential, Shantanu Gupta praised the state's infrastructure and the successful organisation of the Mahakumbh, noting the massive number of visitors this year. The Lucknow edition of TOI Dialogues also hosted discussions on defence-linked infrastructure, Maha Kumbh 2025 preparations, police modernisation, and heritage revival. Building on past editions in Kanpur, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi, the event continues to serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration on UP's infrastructure-led growth, attracting enthusiastic participation from government officials, investors, and industry leaders alike.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
TOI Dialogues - Infrastructure Chapter: Experts root for wellness-led tourism in UP; stress cultural heritage as key driver
Sanjay Bhatnagar, Pramit Mishra, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Pooja Singh and Shantanu Gupta At the 6th edition of TOI Dialogues – Infrastructure Chapter, held in Lucknow's Taj Mahal Hotel, Gomti Nagar on Thursday, top government officials and tourism experts came together to talk about the future of infrastructure and tourism in Uttar Pradesh. Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, shared several updates. He said, 'We're aiming to create one lakh hotel rooms in the next two years under the 2021 tourism policy, which is also being updated based on new suggestions,' said Meshram. He added that the homestay policy is active, allowing locals to rent out homes with government support. The state is also leasing out its forts and palaces to be turned into heritage hotels, with the condition that the original architecture is preserved. One of the key discussions centred around integrating health and heritage tourism across the state. Addressing health and wellness tourism, Meshram noted, 'We don't have a separate medical tourism policy yet, but we're working on it. Post-Covid, people have become more health-conscious. UP has strong potential in yoga, naturopathy, and wellness tourism.' Pooja Singh, founder of My Mom's Village, shared how her initiative was promoting community-driven and organic rural tourism, especially empowering women. "We're working to shift tourism from just sightseeing to soul-seeing, experiences that connect travellers with nature and the local way of life. Alongside that, we're empowering village women, practising organic farming, and making sure the community around us is part of the journey. " Pramit Mishra, Director of Tourism, highlighted the affordability of healthcare in the state. 'Medical treatment in UP is about 20% cheaper than Delhi, and tier-3 cities have a lot of scope for medical infrastructure and affordable hospitality,' he said. Shantanu Gupta, author of The Monk Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh, spoke about the economic potential of religious tourism. 'Religious events like the Kumbh Mela attract huge crowds.'Dharmanomics' can add 0.5% to 1% to GDP, which is significant.' TOI Dialogues is a flagship initiative by The Times of India that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society voices on one platform. Focused on India's biggest development challenges and opportunities, it aims to spark meaningful conversations and drive collaborative solutions for the country's growth.
